Bluetooth no more allowed in France?

[Harlock]

I read that in France it will not be possible to use blutooth headsed for motorcycles, even for intercom utilization. Do you have any further detail? Will it be possible to use an helmet with integrated headset, if turned off, or it will be forbidden even the presence of the headsed? Will we be forced to use even Nav trough the motorbike speakers for this reason?

[cropbiker]

Well my initial response was to check the calendar to see if it was April the 1st.

However a quick google brought up this!

Hands Free Kit Ban

[cropbiker]

If you read this quote

A source from the Interior Ministry quoted by AFP said, ‘the hands-free kit is a device that prevents the driver from hearing what is happening around him. The objective is for the driver to keep in contact with the exterior world’ .

The next logical step is to ban radio and music in cars and arrest passengers who talk to the driver!

[Harlock]

It is the same as listening to the musing inside the car... You cannot hear outside is volume is too loud... Nevertheless music inside the car is not forbidden, because it is assumed that drivers are smart enough to regulate properly the volume... Why in a motorbike this should be different? And... In a long treap, intercom can be useful for the pillion to comunicate an "emergency" or to be awared of a sudden danger ("Pay attantions: a lot of holes in the street now!", for example).

Nevertheless, my question was related more on the doubt: can I use an helmet with integrated headsed if turned off, or am I supposed to change helmet and/or remove integrated headsed. This is not clear anyway.

[cropbiker]

From what I can see so far if it is not manufacturers installed and voice operated then it will not be legal

"Starting 1st July 2015, every hand-free device will be prohibited (be it wired, BT or whatever), whatever function it is installed for (music, phone, GPS...). This applies to cars and bikes. The only authorised devices will be... you guessed it... those sold by car manufacturers which can be voice operated. This is the current state of debility of our current government...".

Because of course it is much safer to take your eyes off the road and look down for directions from your GPS screen rather than listen out for voice instructions

[littleade]

Typical French loonacy written by people who've never ridden a bike. Maybe ask them if they are going to pay compensation for your loss of hearing if you have to wear a helmet with no ear protection?

[cropbiker]

Well they are not talking about ear protection... just listening to something other than the noise of the road and traffic around you.

Although as you infer.... ear protection will have the same impact of reducing your aural awareness of the situation.

They will counter by saying that bikes will be illegal if they are louder than 50 decibels or something equally stupid!

[malcolm]

I read the article and it says the ban is on earbuds not Bluetooth, speakers are allowed. My Bluetooth uses speakers in the helmet so I think that is ok. What system do French motorcycle police use, that must be legal